T-Mobile G1: With 1.5 Cupcake Update (T-Mobile G1)

Member Name: warrenpeace

Product:	T-Mobile G1
Date:	14/05/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, reliable, open-source, loads of free apps

Disadvantages: Sound quality not too good, no equalizer, battery life bad

My T-Mobile G1 was recently updated to version 1.5, also known as Cupcake. After waiting a long time for this update I have to say I was quite impressed. First, there's a new onscreen soft-keyboard, which can be used in both portrait and landscape view, which allows you to type SMS messages, search the web etc. without having to open the qwerty keyboard. I find this to be really helpful sometimes if I only have a short message to write or if I am typing into a search engine. However, it can be quite annoying when typing longer messages as my thumbs seem to hit the wrong keys at times.
The phone itself is now slightly faster after the update with applications loading faster and menus seeming smoother. I have had no problems with the phone since I bought and think it's the best phone i've ever had.
It allows access to Google products with ease, such as google mail, google maps, youtube etc. It has built in WiFi and 3G network. The Android Market is great and the fact that the phone is open-source makes it better than the iPhone in my Opinion as any application is allowed and doesn't have to be approved first. Although this means that there are some really terrible apps released there are also some real gems.

I do have some complaints about the phone and they are firstly the lack of an equalizer for music. The sound can be a little soft and tinny, even through decent earphones, and really needs a graphic equalizer to be able to boost the bass. Secondly, I was dissapointed that there was no 3.5mm Earphone jack. In order to use your own earphones you have to buy an adapter for the Mini USB port, however I think they are shipping the adapters with the phone now. Thirdly, the battery life is not very good at all and can be drained very quickly if you use a few apps or have WiFi, Locations etc. switched on all the time.

Summary: A great phone that's easy to use and open-source!

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